ATHENS, Pa. — Matthew Patrick Gay, 34, was sentenced to 23 months and 258 days in prison for his role in a series of thefts involving diamond rings stolen from Walmart locations over multiple years.
According to the Bradford County District Attorney’s Office, Gay stole a total of seven diamond rings worth $7,362.50 from a Walmart in 2022. Authorities noted that surveillance video showed Gay using a distraction tactic to manipulate an employee. He would ask about a diamond ring, then secretly swap out a real ring for a fake one, which he pocketed.
Gay was initially arrested in October 2022 and was set to be sentenced in August 2024 for his thefts. However, he failed to show up for the sentencing, prompting authorities to issue another warrant for his arrest. During the time he was evading law enforcement, Gay continued his criminal activity, committing similar thefts in Berks County, PA. He was eventually sentenced in Berks County to five months to 24 months in prison, plus two years of probation.
In April 2025, Gay returned to Bradford County to be sentenced for his earlier crimes. District Attorney Richard Wilson stated that Gay’s criminal history, which includes more than two dozen similar offenses, warranted a lengthy prison sentence. “It appears that a State Prison sentence is the only way to protect society from Matthew Gay’s thievery,” Wilson said.
The sentencing marks a significant step in addressing the repeated retail thefts committed by Gay over the years. He will now serve his prison term in state custody.
